Virginia Glaucoma Surgery

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Types of Glaucoma Surgery and Costs in Virginia

What is glaucoma? A range of medical conditions can lead to irreparable damage to the optic nerve. A term often used to cover this range of conditions is glaucoma. There are definitely different forms of glaucoma with different causes. However, all will lead to damage to the optic nerve which can lead to blindness without proper treatment. Some people think that it involves increased pressure in the optic orb. There are forms of glaucoma which involve increased intra-ocular pressure. However, some forms involve low pressure or neutral levels. Four common types of glaucoma are the ones that doctors see most often. Open-angle or chronic glaucoma, angle-closure or acute glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, or secondary glaucoma are those four common types. The types of glaucoma surgery and costs in Virginia depend on the type of glaucoma present.

What is open-angle glaucoma? When someone says they have glaucoma, they most likely have what is known as open-angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma has no known causes. However, like other forms of glaucoma, it can create damage to the optic nerve. This type of glaucoma involves high levels of intra-ocular pressure. Many families have a genetic propensity for this disease. Most patients find relief of this pressure can come with the use of special drops. But a few patients do not get enough relief to the pressure. For those patients, surgery is the next best option. One form of surgery used for this type of glaucoma is selective laser trabeculoplasty. This surgery opens drainage holes in the eye to relieve pressure levels.

What is closed-angle glaucoma? Many forms of glaucoma happen slowly over time. However, with closed-angle glaucoma, the speed of onset is much greater. Without immediate medical attention, it can lead to damage to the optic nerve within a few days. That can lead to blindness. Like open-angle glaucoma, drops can help most patients with this issue. However, some patients do not respond to the drops fast enough. This is an indication the patient needs surgery for a quick intervention. Another type of glaucoma surgery known as an iridotomy is a good option with this type of glaucoma. The surgeon uses a laser to open a pathway in the colored part of the eye to drain excess pressure.

Are there other forms of glaucoma? Besides open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma, the two most common forms of glaucoma are congenital glaucoma and secondary glaucoma. The cost of glaucoma surgery can vary greatly depending on the techniques used and the doctor performing it. Typically, the cost can run from $1500 per eye to over $5300 per eye. The lower cost comes from an ambulatory surgery center and the higher one from a hospital.